Orlando Officer Shot, 4 Children Held Hostage by Suspect

Orlando police are in a standoff with a man suspected of shooting an officer overnight at the Westbrook Apartments near Universal Orlando, before barricading himself inside an apartment with four young children as hostages.

The officer, whose name has not been released, was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he underwent surgery. Orlando police Chief John Mina told reporters just before 9 a.m. that the officer is expected to live.

“It is a very serious, significant injury,” Mina said. “He is expected to survive.”

Mina said the shooting happened after officers responded at about 11:45 p.m. to a woman who reported being battered by her boyfriend. While trying to arrest the suspect, gunfire was exchanged and the officer was shot, the Orlando Sentinel reports.